Curried lamb pasties with spicy sweet potato and tamarind Total time: About 1 1/2 hours, plus cooling time for the filling Servings: Makes 6 hand pies. Note: Harissa can generally be found at gourmet and cooking supply stores, as well as select well-stocked supermarkets. Tamarind paste is available...

Tokyo-style beef sukiyaki Total time: 40 minutes Servings: 4 to 6 Note: Broiled tofu and itokonnyaku noodles are available at Japanese markets. Sliced rib-eye is generally available at Japanese and Korean markets; you could also ask your butcher to slice it. To slice the meat yourself, freeze...

Moroccan lamb tagine with melting tomatoes and onions Total time: 3 hours and 45 minutes Servings: 4 to 6 Note: Adapted from "Mediterranean Clay Pot Cooking" by Paula Wolfert. She recommends a glazed earthenware or Flameware tagine, or a 10- or 11-inch Spanish cazuela with a cover. She also recommends...

Basturma Total time: 3 hours and 40 minutes Servings: 6 to 8 Note: Adapted from "Mediterranean Clay Pot Cooking" by Paula Wolfert, who credits Ayfer Ünsal for sharing her recipe. She recommends using a heat diffuser for slow, steady cooking (especially if using an electric or ceramic stove top)...

Neapolitan-style ragù Total time: About 6 hours Servings: 6 to 8 Note: The pork butt cooked in this recipe is not part of the final dish; it flavors the sauce as it cooks and is to be served separately. 2 pounds boneless pork butt, in 1 piece 2 teaspoons salt, divided, more to taste Pepper 2 tablespoons...